HONOLULU — On the shoreline of Hawaii's most famous beach, a decaying structure attracts little attention from wandering tourists.

A few glance at the crumbling Waikiki Natatorium, a salt water pool built in 1927 as a memorial to the 10,000 soldiers from Hawaii who served in World War I. But the monument's walls are caked with salt and rust, and passers-by are quickly diverted by the lure of sand and waves.

The faded structure has been closed to the public for decades, the object of seemingly endless debate over whether it should be demolished or restored to its former glory.

The latest plan is to replace it with a beach, more practical for the state's lucrative tourism industry — and millions of dollars cheaper, according to state and local officials. They say a full restoration could cost nearly $70 million.

The corroding monument has challenged the community to maneuver a delicate question: How do we honor those who have served when memorials deteriorate and finances are tight?

Similar debates have been playing out across the nation.

The National Trust for Historic Preservation waged a 2½-year fight to restore the aging Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery in Washington, D.C., when some people proposed replacing it. Far less disagreement surrounded a decision to update the War Memorial Opera House in San Francisco after a powerful earthquake in 1989.

In Greensboro, N.C., residents have been grappling with what to do with the city's own decaying tribute to the soldiers of World War I.

Advertisement

The Greensboro World War Memorial Stadium hosted minor-league baseball for decades and even served as a location for notable sports films such as "Leatherheads" and "Bull Durham." Yet, despite continued use by kids and college-level athletes, the structure is falling into disrepair.

The historic pebbled facade is falling off, and some of the bleachers are blocked off because of crumbling concrete, said David Wharton, a Greensboro resident who is fighting as a member of his neighborhood association to restore the structure.

It's been a losing battle. The city rejected two referendums to fund renovations and chose to build a new stadium for minor-league baseball instead of fixing up the old one.

As a classics professor at University of North Carolina-Greensboro, Wharton has a soft spot for historic places. But he recognizes there are many other priorities competing for the millions of dollars it would take to restore the stadium.

A city group is exploring ways to use the space, and preservation advocates hope the monument can be saved even if that means changing the stadium's purpose.

For many residents, the structure's architectural and historic significance pales in comparison to more immediate needs.

"The war was a long time ago," Wharton said. "I don't think it's meaningful for most people."

In Honolulu, the fight over the beachside memorial is far from over. Jason Woll, who manages the beaches and parks in Waikiki, says the salty air, crashing waves and decades-old construction material have contributed to the demise.

"Unfortunately this may have had its day in the sun," Woll said. "It's a World War I memorial, but quite frankly, it looks like it's been through war."

Hawaii state and local officials recently announced a proposal to tear down the building and have started analyzing the plan — a process expected to take at least a year.

Honolulu Mayor Kirk Caldwell says the demolition has been a long time coming.

"The greater disrespect is allowing the pool to continue to crumble and fall into the sea," Caldwell said.

But an organization called Friends of the Natatorium says renovation would in fact be cheaper than demolition. The group, led by former state lawmaker Peter Apo, wants a moratorium on any plans to destroy the memorial to give the group time to raise funds for restoration.

Apo says because the building is on the National Register of Historic Places, a restoration campaign could attract philanthropy from across the nation. But he acknowledges that it could be hard to garner public support. World War I doesn't carry the same significance in Hawaii as World War II, and many people like the idea of a new beach.

"We're a nation of short memory," Apo said.

Honolulu is trying to decide what to do about the crumbling Waikiki Natatorium on its most famous beach. The Natatorium was built in 1927 as a memorial to World War I soldiers, but salty air and crashing waves have taken their toll. (Anita Hofschneider, The Associated Press)